Overview
ISO/IEC 9593-1:1990/Amd 1:1995 is an amendment to the PHIGS language binding standard that defines the FORTRAN interface for the Programmer’s Hierarchical Interactive Graphics System (PHIGS) and PHIGS PLUS. It maps the language‑independent PHIGS/PHIGS PLUS nucleus (specified in ISO/IEC 9592-1 and ISO/IEC 9592-4) into a FORTRAN 77 binding so that graphics functionality-2D/3D primitives, attributes, workstation control, and surface/lighting features-can be called from FORTRAN applications.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and conformance: Specifies how PHIGS and PHIGS PLUS functions must be exposed to FORTRAN 77 (ISO 1539:1980) and defines conformance criteria for implementations.
- Name mapping and subroutine generation: Rules for mapping PHIGS/PHIGS PLUS function names to valid FORTRAN subroutine names, including abbreviation and deletion tables to ensure uniqueness (e.g., mapping MAPPING→M, WORKSTATION→W for PHIGS PLUS).
- Data types and parameter conventions: Defines FORTRAN representations for complex graphics data structures (examples include COLRV, COLRVH, GCOLR, NORM, P2H, P3H and array/list encodings for vertex, facet and spline data).
- Error handling and PHIGS-specific FORTRAN errors: Error conventions for the FORTRAN binding are described, aligned with the PHIGS error model.
- PHIGS PLUS extensions: Adds binding details for lighting, shading, surface properties and other PHIGS PLUS capabilities.
- Function lists and interfaces: Normative lists of PHIGS and PHIGS PLUS function names, alphabetical bindings, detailed function interfaces and utility functions.
- Annex material: Includes FORTRAN examples (informative), function lists (normative), and memory management guidance.
Practical applications and users
- Software/library implementers: Developers building or porting PHIGS/PHIGS PLUS graphics libraries for FORTRAN-based systems will use this standard to ensure correct calling conventions, naming, data layouts and conformance.
- Scientific and engineering visualization: Teams maintaining legacy FORTRAN 77 visualization applications can rely on the binding to run PHIGS-based rendering, surface shading and interactive graphics operations.
- Systems integrators and workstation vendors: Ensures interoperable PHIGS services across platforms and consistent behavior of FORTRAN bindings.
- Standards testers and auditors: Use the conformance rules and function lists to validate implementations.
Related standards
This amendment is essential for anyone needing a standards‑compliant FORTRAN interface to PHIGS and PHIGS PLUS, enabling portable, interoperable computer graphics in FORTRAN 77 environments.